What is a Bareland Condominium?
A bareland condominium is a type of condominium where unit owners own the land (bare land) on which their dwelling or structure is built. This differs from traditional (conventional) condominiums, where owners typically own only the interior of their unit, while the condominium corporation owns and maintains the exterior and common property.
The Condominium Property Act (CPA) defines condominiums as a legal form of property ownership that includes both individually owned units and shared common property. In bareland condominiums, the common property usually includes roads, visitor parking, and shared utilities, while unit owners maintain their own lots.
Key Differences Between Bareland and Traditional Condominiums
Feature | Bareland | Traditional |
Ownership | Owners own the land and any buildings on their lot. | Owners own only the interior of their unit, while the corporation owns the exterior and shared property. |
Common Property | Includes roads, shared amenities, and sometimes underground utilities. | Includes hallways, elevators, parking garages, roofs, and building exteriors. |
Maintenance Responsibilities | Owners are responsible for their own lot, including building repairs, landscaping, and driveway maintenance. | The condominium corporation maintains exteriors, roofs, hallways, and structural components. |
Condo Fees | Generally lower, as fewer services are provided by the corporation. | Higher, as they cover building-wide maintenance, insurance, and shared utilities. |
Insurance | Owners typically require full home insurance covering the structure, as the corporation usually does not insure individual dwellings. | The corporation insures the building exterior and common property, while owners insure only their unit’s interior contents. |
Bylaws and Rules | Can include architectural controls for home designs, landscaping standards, and parking regulations. | Focus more on interior alterations, common space use, and noise restrictions. |
Owner Responsibilities in Bareland Condominiums
Since owners of bareland condominium units hold title to their land and any buildings on it, they must:
Maintain their home and lot, including roofing, siding, and landscaping.
Carry appropriate insurance to cover the full structure and liability for their property.
Contribute to condominium fees for common property maintenance (e.g., snow removal from private roads).
Follow bylaws that may include architectural standards, landscaping guidelines, or parking restrictions.
In contrast, traditional condominium owners rely more on the condominium corporation for exterior building maintenance, insurance, and common area management.
Management Considerations
When managing a bareland condominium, a condominium manager must:
Ensure compliance with bylaws that may include architectural controls or landscaping regulations.
Advise owners on their responsibilities for property maintenance and individual insurance coverage.
Oversee common property maintenance for roads, shared utilities, and recreational areas.
Monitor financial contributions to ensure the corporation has adequate funds for infrastructure maintenance.
Financial and Maintenance Obligations
Traditional Condominiums
Monthly condominium fees cover exterior maintenance, reserve funds, and insurance for shared property.
The condominium corporation is responsible for building upkeep, roof repairs, and common utilities.
Owners contribute to special assessments if reserve funds are insufficient.
Bareland Condominiums
Owners must budget for individual home repairs (e.g., replacing roofs or siding).
The condominium corporation manages only designated common property, which may include private roads, shared septic systems, or community landscaping.
Condo fees may be lower, but unexpected costs for individual properties may be higher due to personal maintenance responsibilities.
According to the Condominium Property Act, the owner of a unit in a bareland condominium plan is responsible for the maintenance of their unit, including any buildings or improvements on that unit.
